After weeks of debate, the state Senate has passed its budget bill. Bill sponsor Luke Kenley says the Senate stayed true to its goal of creating a budget that would not raise taxes or lead to deficit spending.

Kenley says the budget tackles the rising cost of Medicaid in Indiana, and focuses its education funding by putting children first. But South Bend Senator John Broden says the education reforms and changes in funding will strain school corporations’ budgets and jeopardize Hoosier’s healthcare.

The budget cuts funding to a home healthcare program for seniors and diverts some of that money into Medicaid. The bill now moves to conference committee, where the House and Senate will make additional changes.

Indiana Public Broadcasting’s Brandon Smith reports from the Indiana Statehouse.